Jiang Ruan shook her head. "Lord Gu will not be persuaded by you." Her tone was gentle. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Gu, but I know my position is awkward. How could I possibly marry into the Garrison General's Residence? Not only would Lord Gu disapprove, but Madam Gu would likely object as well. Defying one's family to force an engagement would only result in a resentful couple. I will cherish the sincerity you've shown me in this lifetime, but to insist on clinging to this sentiment until it becomes unrecognizable is not what I desire."
Gu Yi grew anxious. "Miss Jiang..."
"Young Master Gu," Jiang Ruan interrupted him, "you are no longer a young boy. You understand that everything comes at a cost. Is it truly worth it for you to make the Garrison General's Residence pay such a price for my sake? Do you realize that marrying me would place the Garrison General's Residence under constant scrutiny? Lord Gu has climbed to his current position—must his career be hindered because of your decision? And Madam Gu would be burdened with endless worries. For the sake of one woman, Young Master Gu, is it really worth it?"
Gu Yi was momentarily speechless under Jiang Ruan's questioning. His earlier confidence wavered. Was it truly worth it to put the Garrison General's Residence in such a position for Jiang Ruan?
Jiang Ruan took a step back, her expression softening into a smile. "I appreciate the words you've spoken today, Young Master Gu. Such a precious sentiment—I will remember it well. In the future, we shall still meet as friends. But as for the bond of partners, this lifetime holds no such fate for us."
Gu Yi's mouth felt numb and bitter, a sour ache gripping his heart. The beauty before him was within reach, yet separated by insurmountable distance—never to be together in this life. Though impulsive by nature, Gu Yi could still weigh pros and cons. Had anyone else spoken these words to him, he might not have listened. But it was Jiang Ruan, the woman he loved, that cooled his fervor.
He let out a bitter laugh. "I understand. Then, if you were not a county princess, and I were not the son of the Garrison General's Residence—would there be a chance for us to fulfill this bond?"
"There are no 'ifs' in this world," Jiang Ruan replied with a faint smile.
Gu Yi took two steps back, his sorrow unconcealed. "No 'ifs.'" He shook his head, as if suddenly matured, the reluctance in his eyes tugging at one's heart. He turned to leave but paused after a few steps. "I have just one more question. Has your heart ever lingered on me, even for a moment?"
"Never," Jiang Ruan answered with a smile.
Gu Yi swayed slightly, steadied himself, then strode away without another word.
Only after Gu Yi's figure had vanished did Jiang Ruan lower her gaze and turn to return to Princess Hall. As she turned, she spotted a figure beneath the osmanthus tree—a young man in dark cyan clothing, his presence cold and striking. He stood silently, watching her, as if he had been there for a long time.
Jiang Ruan paused briefly before walking to Xiao Shao's side. "Why are you here?"
"If your statuses had matched, would you have truly agreed to marry him?" Xiao Shao ignored her question, posing one of his own instead.
"Yes," Jiang Ruan said. "If it offered shelter and served my purposes, why not marry into the Gu family? But the Gu family is barely holding on as it is—hardly the best choice."
Xiao Shao stared at her intently, his expression stiff. "If there were a place that could offer you shelter, you would marry?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Jiang Ruan countered.Xiao Shao's gaze was calm, yet within those dark, elongated eyes, a tide of shadows seemed to surge. Just as Jiang Ruan thought he would remain silent forever, he spoke: "In that case, why not marry me?"
Jiang Ruan was stunned.
The man before her spoke with a voice both gentle and domineering: "The Brocade Hero King Manor answers directly to His Majesty, free from factional concerns. Its influence is enough to protect you completely. There are no in-laws above you, nor troublesome servants below. Entering the manor, you would be its mistress—none would dare slight you, and you alone would be revered. Would such a household not be to your liking?"
His words were composed, his brocade robes as restrained as the black gold carved auspicious beast at the manor's gate in autumn. His dark, elongated eyes brimmed with brilliance, shining brightly when they met hers, like the Milky Way spanning the heavens, naturally captivating and soul-stirring. Such a man stood before her, asking: "Would it be to your liking?"
The dream lover of countless young women in the Da Jin Dynasty, always aloof and distant, now posed such a question with such tenderness—how could it not leave one spellbound?
After a moment of silence, Jiang Ruan asked, "Why do you wish to marry me?"
"You understand the situation in the palace," Xiao Shao fixed his gaze on her. "Residing in the Brocade Hero King Manor would ensure your safety."
"I don’t need anyone to protect me," Jiang Ruan interrupted him. "Bringing me into the manor would only invite disaster."
Xiao Shao paused, then asked, "What is it you seek?"
"What do I seek?" Jiang Ruan repeated softly before suddenly lifting her head with a smile—a smile so bewitching yet laced with bone-deep mockery. Though clad in a dark indigo robe, she seemed to stride forth from a sea of flames, her entire being ablaze with the intent to perish together with her enemies.
Word by word, she declared: "I want those who owe me their lives to lay their hearts before me. I want those who scorned me to forever look up at me. I want the Grand Purple Royalty to tremble at my sight. I want to trample this splendid land beneath my feet!"
Xiao Shao studied the young woman before him deeply. This seemed the first time she had laid bare her hatred and fury before him without restraint. He had always known Jiang Ruan harbored a secret, but only now did he realize it was far more complex than imagined. Each of her words struck like a hammer, resolute and unyielding. What kind of past could drive her to utter such treasonous yet unshakably determined words?
"Now you understand—I am a nation-destroying enchantress. Wherever I go, disaster follows."
"If you are a nation-destroying enchantress, then I am a traitorous subject." His robes were cool as the night, his eyes cold as stars, yet the words from his lips carried a heat that could sear: "A perfect match, ordained by heaven."
Jiang Ruan stared at him, speechless.
"You seek vengeance, to slaughter all who wronged you. If that could bring you happiness, I would gladly aid you. But it won’t." Xiao Shao's words drifted lightly on the wind, yet they struck Jiang Ruan’s heart like a blade.
She was not happy. How could killing bring happiness? Obsession with revenge would one day erode her very self, and a heart shrouded in hatred would eventually reduce her to a hollow shell of vengeance. She raised her eyes to meet Xiao Shao’s. The young man’s words were sharp as a blade, his gaze piercing, laying bare the most vulnerable part of her soul.
Suddenly, memories flashed before her—the golden hall of her past life, tumbling down the imperial steps, Jiang Quan’s icy stare, Ye Li’s voice proclaiming her a nation-destroying enchantress. A sharp pain lanced through her heart.There is no turning back in hell, nor in the underworld. If this life was a mercy from the heavens, granting her the chance for revenge, she would not hesitate to burn herself to ashes in the end. Yet... she had to meet him again in this very lifetime.
Her eyes slowly lowered, and a bitter smile crept onto her lips. "I knew it long ago. Xiao Shao, I'm trapped in a nightmare."
That fragile expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a voice calm yet laced with imperceptible despair and struggle. "But I can't wake up."
Zhao Jin placed the secret letter back where it belonged and quietly stepped out, just in time to run into her eldest brother returning from martial practice.
Zhao Qian looked at his younger sister in surprise. "Little sister, why are you coming out of Father’s study? He hasn’t returned yet, has he?"
"I—I lost my handkerchief and thought I might have left it there yesterday when I brought Father some snacks," Zhao Jin stammered.
"Oh." Zhao Qian didn’t suspect anything and chuckled. "You’re a young lady now. Don’t be so careless and absent-minded all the time. How will you ever find a good match like this?"
"Eldest brother," Zhao Jin scratched her ear impatiently before suddenly perking up and leaning closer. "Brother, are you, Second Brother, and Father going to war?"
Zhao Qian’s expression darkened, his tone turning stern. "Where did you hear that?"
"Why so harsh?" Zhao Jin pouted, feigning nonchalance. "Isn’t the border in crisis? With the Celestial Jin Kingdom’s relentless aggression, His Majesty is bound to send reinforcements. The General's Residence must avoid suspicion, General Wu and General Guan are at odds, and our family, being military officers, can hardly escape duty."
"Outrageous! How dare you presume the Emperor’s intentions?" Zhao Qian scolded, his face stern. "Never speak of such matters outside, or you’ll bring trouble upon this household. Mark my words!"
"Brother—" Zhao Jin showed no fear, clinging to his arm with a coaxing smile. "I won’t tell anyone else, and you’re family anyway. It’s not about presuming the Emperor’s will—it’s about caring for our nation’s affairs. Just tell me, is it true? If you all go to war, I’ll be left alone in the residence again. How dull!"
As the youngest in the family, Zhao Jin was doted on by her elder brothers. Her words carried no heed for Zhao Qian’s warning. Though exasperated, Zhao Qian adored his little sister. Knowing her fearless nature, he realized his admonitions would hardly sink in. Unable to resist her relentless pestering, he finally relented. "All you care about is fun. You’re grown now—once Mother arranges a marriage for you, you’ll be someone else’s wife. Let’s see if you dare act so recklessly then. This time, we’re reinforcing the border. The Celestial Jin army is cunning beyond measure, and the risks are great. Father will likely depart in a few days." He glanced at Zhao Jin with concern. "Stay out of trouble while we’re gone."
"I know." Zhao Jin rolled her eyes before probing further. "So, what’s the situation at the front? Was Deputy General Jiang really captured as the rumors say? Was the recent defeat all his fault?"
"Most likely. The Emperor—" Zhao Qian suddenly caught himself, noticing Zhao Jin’s eager gaze, and abruptly changed his tone. "Why are you so interested in this?""This concerns our family's affairs. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated,'" Zhao Jin spoke eloquently. "Naturally, we must understand everything clearly."
Zhao Qian found it amusing: "You're not the one going to battle. Why do you need to know so much?" Without waiting for Zhao Jin to respond, he added, "Besides, these are confidential matters—I can't tell you." He patted Zhao Jin's shoulder. "Be good and go back to learning embroidery with the nanny. Yesterday, Mother said the mandarin ducks you embroidered looked like ducks. How will you ever present such work? Tame your wild nature a little. I still have matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you company."
With that, he left before Zhao Jin could ask anything further. Watching Zhao Qian's retreating figure, Zhao Jin felt a surge of frustration and had no choice but to return to her courtyard alone. Along the way, she overheard servants discussing the urgent crisis at the border—all speculating about the once-rising, illustrious God of War who had now fallen from grace overnight, likely to meet nothing better than a hero's death wrapped in horsehide. Her heart grew heavy with unease.
Once back in her room, she dismissed all her maids. Sitting at the table, Zhao Jin absentmindedly picked up a military strategy book and spread it open, though her thoughts were far from its pages. Her mind was consumed by the secret dispatch she had glimpsed in her father's study earlier.
The border was in crisis, and an expedition was imminent. The once-revered God of War had been denounced as a traitor overnight. Yet Zhao Jin couldn’t help recalling the valiant and scholarly general she had once seen at a palace banquet. She owed him her life, and before she could repay that debt, her benefactor had fallen into disgrace. As the saying goes, "A drop of kindness must be repaid with a spring of gratitude." Moreover, as the daughter of a military family, she valued honor and loyalty above all—she couldn’t cower in fear. Besides, staying in the manor would only mean her mother would spend every day arranging some unwanted marriage for her.
Running her fingers over the military book, Zhao Jin silently made a decision. She had no idea how this choice would alter the course of her life. Yet in this moment, her courage was invaluable—for in this world, to gain something, one must lose something. The great wheel of fate had begun to turn. Unfolding a cloth bundle, she placed the military book inside.
...
At Brocade Hero King Manor, Butler Lin clutched the account book so tightly it nearly crumpled in his hands, his gaze repeatedly darting toward the inner chambers.
"Stop looking," Jin Si said casually as she poured herself a cup of tea. "His Highness is in a foul mood right now. If you keep peeking like that, you might just invite misfortune."
"What do you know, little girl?" Butler Lin shook his head. "The prince is young and proud. Being rejected by a woman is more humiliating than sorrowful for him. Right now, he must be thinking of ways to salvage the situation."
Jin Si followed Butler Lin's gaze into the room but saw nothing resembling humiliation or anger on the man's cold, composed face. She could only shrug.
"Speaking of which, that Princess of Great Peace is quite something. In this day and age, there are still women who dare refuse His Highness?" Butler Lin's expression flickered with disbelief. "But that doesn’t make sense. Last time she was here, the young mistress was quite bold—why retreat when happiness was within reach? Could she be playing hard to get? Hmm, women always need coaxing. Surely it’s just that His Highness doesn’t know how to sweet-talk, scaring the girl away."
Jin Si had no response. She looked up at the sky, pretending not to hear Butler Lin’s endless muttering.However, Butler Lin was not one to easily hold his tongue. Stroking his small beard, he sighed and said, "The young master is perfect in every way, except for his temperament. Back when the old master was alive, he was just like the young master now—tall, handsome, and peerlessly learned. In those days, the old master was the ideal husband not just in all of Great Jin, but his reputation even spread to other nations. His temperament was far gentler than the young master's. When he married the madam, countless young ladies were so heartbroken they threatened to drown themselves in lakes." Butler Lin frowned in confusion. "So why is the young master so indifferent to women? It’s truly quite alarming."
"Why should you be alarmed? Even if you are, it won’t help anything," Jin Si finally couldn’t help but interject. "Old Lin, stop worrying over nothing. Ah, the master is in a bad mood these days—best to steer clear unless you want to get burned."
"Of course I can help," Butler Lin declared proudly, puffing out his less-than-imposing chest with confidence. "Not to boast, but in my younger days, though I couldn’t compare to the old master’s brilliance, I was still quite the dashing gentleman. Many noble ladies admired me, but I found them all too shallow. To this day, I’ve yet to meet someone who truly understands my heart. Ah, youth slips away so quickly."
(End of Chapter)
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